Ross Commission Forms Advisory Budget Committee

Ross Township Board of Commissioners on Monday approved by a vote of 7-2 the formation of a budget committee. 

The committee, proposed by commission Chairman Dan Kinross, will be composed of three commissioners appointed by Kinross and three residents appointed by a majority vote of the board. It will review expenses and revenue to date and make recommendations regarding the 2012 budget, Kinross said. 

"I think we don't do enough work throughout the year on the budget," Kinross said, adding that in the past it's felt as if budget decisions were made at the "eleventh hour." 

Kinross represents the 3rd Ward. 

Township Manager Wayne Jones said the township's budget is where it should be at this point in the year. He said overall expenses are at 44 percent of what's been budgeted for 2011 and that spending is in line with where it has been the past four years. 

Commissioners David Mikec of the 6th Ward and Gerald O'Brien of the 7th Ward voted against the proposal. Both said they didn't understand how the committee would be different from the normal budget review process, which will begin soon and involves the commissioners. 

"I'd like to know more about what this committee will do and what powers it will have," O'Brien said. "I'm not against having a good budget." 

Kinross said the committee's role would be advisory. 

The vote forming the committee was a courtesy. Under the commission's rules, Kinross, as chairman, has the power to create committees and appoint representatives. He asked for the vote, but told the commissioners he planned to form the committee regardless of the outcome of the vote.